Study of the degree of III conditioning of the phase space of pencil-beam radiotherapy using singular value decomposition

Dose distribution optimization algorithms are necessary in pencil-beam radiotherapy to exploit efficiently the multiple parameters of this powerful irradiation technique. We propose as an optimization technique singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis, which allows the measurement of ill conditioning of the stereotactic radiotherapy inverse problem and yields optimal weights for conformal treatment. Our approach to dose distribution optimization is to recover estimates of the minibeams weights from well-defined previsional dose matrices to study the influence of the different parameters on the stereotactic radiotherapy inverse procedure. The adjustment of the different parameters of the stereotactic irradiation to the “SVD optimizer” procedure is realized taking into account the ratio of the quality reconstruction to the calculation time. It will permit a more efficient use of the SVD optimizer in clinical applications with real three-dimensional lesions. We show the efficiency of the SVD optimizer in analyzing and predicting ill conditioning in stereotactic radiotherapy and in recognizing the topography of the different beams to create an optimal vector containing the beam weights (reconstructed weighting vector).     

Extended fundamental frequency analysis of the LCC resonant converter

Fundamental frequency techniques are used to analyze the series-parallel resonant converter under heavy load conditions, both with a continuous, but distorted parallel capacitor voltage waveform, and with a discontinuous capacitor voltage waveform. The analysis is validated with results from an experimental prototype. The application of the technique to the parallel-loaded L-C resonant converter is also considered.     

Design aspects of planar and conventional SMPS transformer: a cost benefit analysis

The intent of this paper is to design a high-frequency transformer that is to be incorporated into the DC/DC pulsewidth-modulated switch-mode power supplies by two different technical approaches: a conventional wound-coil magnetic using copper wires, and a planar magnetic with layered copper tracks on laminated printed circuit board. Comparisons will be made between the two approaches in terms of profile: mounting height and surface area, and performance: power losses and efficiency. Other indicators like temperature rise and leakage inductance that causes electromagnetic interference, and cost, materials, and process fluency are also to be looked into. A sandwiched configuration for primary and secondary windings is proposed for the planar type. Issues arising and typical phenomena encountered will be discussed in detail. Primarily, the dominating factor in performance, cost effectiveness, or circuit compactness that restrains the choice of a particular type is to be evaluated.     

A mechanical model for the deformational behavior of the polymeric membranes operating in pressure-driven processes

A mechanical model consisting of three elements (elastic, viscoelastic, and plastic) is proposed to describe the deformational behavior of a polymeric membrane operating in a pressure-driven process. The changes in the membrane thickness are proposed to be calculated from the experimentally obtained flux data. The advantages of a mechanical model over the conventional method of hysteresis area measurement as the mechanical stability of the polymeric membranes are discussed. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Numerical simulation of ion-exchange in glass for integratedoptical components

A numerical model based on the finite-element method for solving the nonlinear diffusion equation of ion-exchange in glasses is presented. The model is applied to the calculation of the concentration profile for a Ag⁺-Na⁺ ion-exchanged channel waveguide. The calculated concentration profile is in good agreement with a measured refractive-index profile of a waveguide fabricated with the same parameters as used in the calculations     

The prospects of non-volatile phase-change RAM

Phase-change read-and-write memory (PRAM) is a promising memory that can solve the problems of conventional memory—scalability, read/write speed, and reliability. We will review the opportunities and technical challenges of PRAM. The most important challenge of PRAM is the reduction of the writing current. Various approaches to reduce the writing current will be reviewed and the prospects of PRAM are discussed.     

Correlation between magnetic properties and the hardness of powder steels

Density and carbon content are studied for their effect on strength (hardness) and magnetic (coercive force, saturation magnetization) properties of powder steels ZhGr1 and ZhGr1D3. It is shown that the hardness of articles made of these steels may be determined indirectly by measuring two magnetic characteristics.Physicotechnical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhevsk. Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, Nos. 1–2, pp. 67–69, January–February, 1994.